Feature:
Walrus born in captivity at Quebec City aquarium
“It doesn’t have a name yet, but a baby walrus is faring well under its mother’s care at the aquarium in Quebec City.
The Aquarium du Québec announced the birth... noting that it was only the 7th walrus born in captivity in North America since 1930.
So rare, in fact, the aquarium said it marked the first time in Canada a captive walrus has delivered a live full-term baby.
Proud parents are Arnaliaq, a mother from Ungava Bay in northern Quebec, & Boris, the Russian father...
‘Today, the entire team at the Aquarium du Québec is overjoyed,” said the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq), the provincial agency that manages parks & wildlife reserves...
...The cub was born at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
During delivery, the mother was observed by animal guides, a veterinarian, & aquarium staff using video surveillance cameras.
‘Everything went naturally without any human intervention,’ according to Sépaq...
‘Arnaliaq is a gentle & protective mother to her child. We don’t yet know whether it is a boy or girl because no one has come close to the mother & her newborn...’
...Lucie Boulianne, a spokesperson for Sépaq, said the baby walrus will be monitored closely for the next few weeks...
‘It’s a very rare event,’ said Boulianne. “Of those 7 births (since 1930), only one walrus reached adult age. So we feel very privileged to have 2 walruses reach pregnancy.’
The aquarium’s second pregnant female, Samka, is due in early June.”
John Meagher
May 9/2016
montrealgazette.com
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